The Library will be closed Saturday, August 31st through Monday, September 2nd in observance of Labor Day Weekend. 

Adult:

Visit our Website Calendar for Additional Info & Registration links: https://tinyurl.com/apl-calendar

Virtual- Fall Planting with Jen Kettell

Tuesday, September 3 @ 7pm

In this class, participants will learn tips for nursery selection, site preparation, proper planting technique, and aftercare for trees, shrubs, and woody vines.

Virtual - Environmental Book Club 

Wednesday, September 4 @ 6:30pm

Read “Wasteland: the secret world of waste and the urgent search for a cleaner future” by Oliver Franklin-Wallis

Virtual- How To Become A Better Public Speaker with Barack Obama Speechwriter Terry Szuplat

Wednesday, September 4 @ 7pm

In his presentation, Terry will (1) take you behind-the-scenes of the White House to show you what it was like to write speeches for President Obama; (2) share tips on how anyone can become a better speaker and communicator; and (3) answer your questions about writing for a President, today’s political rhetoric, and whatever else you’d like to ask.

HYBRID - Romance Book Club

Thursday, September 5 @ 6:30pm

Read Siberian Romances

Virtual - Lessons from the Climate Anxiety Counseling Booth with Author Kate Schapira

Thursday, September 5 @ 7pm

Kate Schapira, author of “Lessons from the Climate Anxiety Counseling Booth: How to Live with Care and Purpose in an Endangered World”, will share methods for living with our emotional responses to climate realities and using them as guides to connection and action.

Virtual- Declutter series with Jamie Novak: Tidy Your Kitchen and Bathrooms Fast

Thursday, September 5 @ 7pm

Join author and organizing humorist Jamie Novak online, when she shares simple steps to declutter the bathroom and the kitchen. 

Card Making with Jan Poppendieck 

Monday, September 9 @ 6:30pm

Come join us for an evening of card making with Jan. We will learn stamping and card making techniques using our huge stash of supplies. Jan will teach embossing, die cutting, proper stamping, and use of equipment individually and group techniques of creating unique cards.

Virtual - Author Evan Friss Discusses “The Bookshop A History of the American Bookstore”

Monday, September 9 @ 7pm

We can’t wait to chat with author Evan Friss about “The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore” - an affectionate and engaging history of the American bookstore and its central place in American cultural life, from department stores to indies, from highbrow dealers trading in first editions to sidewalk vendors, and from chains to special-interest community destinations.

Virtual - Book Recs with Bookstagrammer Jody Blanchette aka @redreadreviews

Tuesday, September 10 @ 7pm

Join Jody for 30 minutes of pure book recommendations - with a bent towards horror and thrillers and a few other genres thrown in! 

Virtual- Banned in America with Bill Thierfelder

Tuesday, September 10 @ 7pm

When you walk into a library, you’re entering a controversial place--for it’s a venue where you can read, listen to, and watch media that could be considered potentially “dangerous” depending on where (or when) you live. Join us to learn the history of the book banning phenomenon.

Paint Night with Ashwini Chitnavis

Wednesday, September 11 @ 5:30pm

Join Ashwini  to learn to paint on canvas. No art experience necessary, just an open mind and a can-do attitude.

Virtual- Great American Unsung Heroes Who Changed The Course Of History -- Dr. Benjamin Rush

Wednesday, September 11 @ 7pm

Learn about one of America’s forgotten founding fathers -- Dr. Benjamin Rush. Rush was a renowned writer, reformer and medical pioneer who touched virtually every page in the story of our nation’s founding. 

Virtual - Introduction to Ornithology with Bill Gette: Migration

Thursday, September 12 @ 1pm

During this PowerPoint lecture, Bill will teach you about why birds migrate, adaptations for long-range migration, migration strategies, fuel for flight, timing, and navigation in birds. 

In Person - Women’s Wisdom Circle: Living in Alignment

Thursday, September 12 @ 6pm

Join Meredith Bazirgan, LICSW in discussion with the library director, Meena Jain, as we chat about what tools we use in making life decisions - intuition, advice from family/friends, pressure from society, etc?

Virtual - Auroras with Kelly Beatty

Thursday, September 12 @ 7pm

Auroras: Nature’s Light Show Explore historical explanations for the “northern lights,” how they’re created, and when/where you’re most likely to see them.

In Person Mystery Book Club

Friday, September 13 @ 12pm

Read “Still Life” by Louise Penny

Virtual - Friday Night Film Discussion 

Friday, September 13 @ 7pm

Watch  “A Sunday in the Country” (Kanopy) 

Virtual - Body Positivity in Romance Books: Author Panel with Olivia Dade, Julie Murphy, Sierra Simone, and Denise Williams

Saturday, September 14 @ 10am

We are so excited to chat with fantastic romance authors Olivia Dade, Julie Murphy, Sierra Simone, and Denise Williams on the topic of Body Positivity in romance genre books (or, how it should be in every genre!). We hope you can join us for this very important, fascinating, and fun conversation with some of the very best romance authors advocating the message that every BODY is deserving of love and respect.

Virtual - Author and Historian Helen Fry Discusses “The Walls Have Ears”

Saturday, September 14 @ 2pm

Helen will be discussing her book, “The Walls Have Ears”, a history of the elaborate and brilliantly sustained World War II intelligence operation by which Hitler’s generals were tricked into giving away vital Nazi secrets.

Virtual- Lorelei of Lorelei’s Lit Lair discusses Sports, Winery and Fall Themed Romance Book Favorites!

Monday, September 16 @ 7pm

Let’s talk about Fall romance reading - sports romances, books set at wineries, and fun books with Fall themes on the covers (pumpkins, cinnamon, apple cider, etc).

Cookbook Club

Tuesday, September 17 @ 5:30pm

NOTE new date/time

Cook from  “Koreatown: A Cookbook” or “The Korean Table”

Virtual - Literary Café Welcomes Marjan Kamali, Author of The Lion Women of Tehran

Tuesday, September 17 @ 7pm

Marjan will be in conversation with Cary Memorial Library Foundation Board Member Kimberly Hensle Lowrance, discussing her journey to publication, the inspiration for THE LION WOMEN OF TEHRAN, writing historical fiction, and more.

Virtual- Cole Porter with Clint Edwards

Tuesday, September 17 @ 7pm

Description coming soon!

Bio/Memoir Book Club

Wednesday, September 18 @ 11am

Readg “Waiting to be arrested at night: a Uyghur poet’s memoir of China’s genocide” by Tahir Hamut Izgil.

Half-Past Crafts: Corner Bookmarks

Wednesday, September 18 @ 6:30pm

This month we are revisiting leather crafts by making cute corner bookmarks!

VIRTUAL: Ashland Adult Book Club

Wednesday, September 18 @ 6:30pm

Read “Sparks Like Stars” by Nadia Hashimi

Virtual- America’s Spies -- Why Do People Betray Their Country?

Wednesday, September 18 @ 7pm

Retired Army Intelligence and CIA clandestine officer Tom Hofer will delve into the history of espionage in the US, from George Washington’s Culper spy ring to modern times. 

Great Decisions

Thursday, September 19 @ 6:30pm

Discuss High Seas Treaty

Virtual - Haunted Experiences with Jeff DePaoli: Halloween New England with Owner, Alexandra De Collibus

Thursday, September 19 @ 6:30pm

Join Alexandra De Collibus, Owner of Halloween New England, and Jeff DePaoli, host of “That Halloween Podcast”, as they talk all about how HNE keeps us all informed about the events and programs in our own backyards!!

Virtual - A History of Activism through Cookbooks

Thursday, September 19 @ 7pm

Food has often been a way for activist communities to fundraise, connect, and spread the word about their cause. We’ll look at the origins of the link between food and activism through the ages

In Person - Monster Romance Mini-Fest @ the Ashland Library!

Saturday, September 21 @ 12-4pm

We love monster romance and we love mini-fests! We’re so excited to welcome monster romance authors Kathryn Ann Kingsley, Lillian Lark, and CM Nascosta to our library! We’ll have an afternoon of fun with a panel discussion, small group discussions, and book sales/signings! So, have a huge brunch to power up for this fantastic day. We can’t wait to see you!

Paper Craft Makerspace

Monday, September 23 @ 6:30pm

Come create your own greeting cards, junk journals, art journals, altered books, etc. using the library’s extensive collection of stamps, inks, papers, punches, dies, embellishments, and embossing materials.

Virtual - Author Heather Wolf Discusses: Find & Identify More Birds: How to Pick a Patch

Monday, September 23 @ 7pm

One of our favorite speakers, author Heather Wolf, will be discussing how to find and identify more birds by picking a “patch,” a place close to home where you can watch birds often.

Virtual - Breath of a Wok with Grace Young

Tuesday, September 24 @ 7pm

Join us for a stir-fry class with three-time James Beard Award-winner, Grace Young. Come learn practical tips on how to stir-fry with success. 

Virtual- What Does Judaism Have To Do With Palestine/Israel? with Prof. Atalia Omer

Tuesday, September 24 @ 7pm

This talk will examine recent ethnographic research on Jewish wrestling with Zionism and the social mechanisms underpinning processes of unlearning militarist accounts of Jewish safety as well as the conflation of Jews with the policies of a nation-state project.

In Person - Medicare 101: Everything You Need To Know

Wednesday, September 25 @ 6pm

This presentation is an overview of Medicare for people turning 65 or those just signing up for Medicare. We will be discussing Medicare enrollment as well as information about the parts of Medicare and coverage options.

Virtual - Changing weather in MetroWest: Extreme heat, flooding, and wind

Wednesday, September 25 @ 7pm

Climate Change is here and impacting our weather systems. Come learn about how weather systems are changing in MetroWest and how we can prepare for extreme weather. Additionally learn about how extreme heat has impacted Metrowest. Last summer the three communities, along with Holliston, took part in a heat study conducted by the Mcauliffe Center, the results show the relationship between nature and heat islands located within MetroWest.

Virtual- Author Crystal King Discusses “In The Garden Of Monsters”

Wednesday, September 25 @ 7pm

Author Crystal King will discuss her new book, “In The Garden of Monsters”, a sinister romance and hypnotic Gothic fairytale with a fascinating twist on the story of Hades and Persephone.

Virtual- Leonardo da Vinci: Invention & Creation with Jane Oneail

Thursday, September 26 @ 7pm

This program provides an introduction to the artist and some of his most celebrated works including The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa.

Virtual - Friday Night Film Discussion

Friday, September 27 @ 7pm

Watch  “Mon Oncle” (Kanopy)

Adult Weekly:

Knit and Crochet Club

Mondays @ 6pm

Walk-In

ESL Conversation Group

Mondays @ 6:30pm 

Walk-In

Gentle Yoga

Tuesdays @ 6pm

Registration is requested

Children: 

Halloween Costume Swap 

*lasts the whole month of October

Calling all mini ghouls and goblins! Join our month-long Halloween Costume Swap just for kids! Bring in those outgrown costumes and take home new ones to complete your spooktacular look. Whether you’re on the hunt for a magical princess dress or a dashing superhero cape, this is your chance to refresh your costume collection and share the Halloween spirit. Drop off old favorites and pick up exciting new ones all month long—because every kid deserves to be their favorite character!

Special Programs:

Pirate Robbie Jones’ Magic Show

Saturday, September 21 @ 10:30am

Registration is required

Ahoy, mateys! Set sail for a swashbuckling good time at Captain Robbie Bones’ Pirate Magic Show! Join us on Saturday, September 21 at 10:30 a.m. for a treasure chest full of spellbinding tricks and nautical nonsense that’ll have ye grinning from ear to ear. With a sprinkle of pirate charm and a splash of magic, Captain Bones is sure to make yer heart race and yer laughter echo across the seven seas. Don’t miss out on this plunder of a performance—it’s bound to be a real gem! 

Lego Club with Kim the Lego Lady 

*Grades K-3

Wednesday, September 25 @ 4:30pm

Registration is required

Calling all LEGO masters! Join Kim the Lego Lady for an interactive building adventure! Afterward, your awesome creations will be displayed in the library until the next LEGO club! 

La Hora del Cuento *para familias | Spanish Storytime

*for families

Wednesday, September 25 @ 6:30pm

Los invitamos a disfrutar en familia de una sesión de cuentos en español en la biblioteca. Ofreceremos la oportunidad de sumergirse en historias cautivadoras, rimas divertidas y canciones alegres, ¡todo en español! Join us for a special story time, offering families the opportunity to immerse themselves in captivating stories, fun rhymes, and cheerful songs, all in Spanish.

La sesión será dirigida por voluntarios locales con fluidez natural en el idioma. Promoveremos un ambiente acogedor y estimulante donde niños y niñas podrán aprender y disfrutar del idioma de manera interactiva y emocionante. Esperamos contar con su presencia. ¡Acompáñanos!

Stories, Songs, and Stretches 

*for ages 4-7

Thursday, September 26 @ 6:30pm

Registration is requested

Kids and their parents or caregivers are invited to play together through stories, songs and yoga shapes. No experience or equipment necessary!

Coding Class For Kids: Gear up for a tech-tastic adventure with our Coding Class for Kids! Every other Saturday, kids from Kindergarten through grade 5 will dive into the thrilling world of coding, where imagination meets innovation. With hands-on projects and fun, interactive lessons, your child will master the basics of coding and create their own cool projects. Whether they’re building games or solving puzzles, this class promises excitement and discovery at every turn. Join us for a coding journey that’s out of this world! ???? Click here for more information.

Space is limited to 12 kids and registration is required.

Coding Class for Kids 

*for ages 5 and up

Saturday, September 14 @ 1-2pm Coding Class for Kids 

*for ages 5 and up

Saturday, September 28 @ 1-2pm

Weekly Storytimes:

Clocktown Rockers! 

*For ages 2-5 with a caregiver

Tuesdays at 10:30-11am

Join Miss Katrina for this new music and movement program! We’ll dance to favorite kids’ tunes, have fun with instruments and other props, and read a story, all while building your child’s early literacy and executive function skills. 

Storytime Sprouts 

* For ages 0-3 with a caregiver

Wednesdays @ 10:30am

Join us for a fun and interactive story time filled with singing, reading, bounces, fingerplays, puppets, instruments, and more! This engaging program is designed to introduce young children to the joys of literature and music while promoting early literacy skills.

Read to a Dog with Knives and Machete 

(yes, those really are the dogs’ names!)

*For kids who are reading on their own

Saturday, September 7 @ 1:30pm

Saturday, September 21 @ 1:30pm

Children with some reading ability will have the chance to read to one of our registered therapy dogs for 10 minutes.

Teen:

CALL FOR TEEN HAUNTED TRAIL ACTORS

Do you love being spooky? Is October your favorite time of year? Do you love dressing up or getting in costume? Then the Ashland Public Library has the perfect opportunity for YOU. On October 25th, the library is putting on an all-out, after-hours Halloween bash including a haunted trail, and we need YOU to help make it as spooky as possible. The event is from 6:00-8:00PM, but we would start earlier for set up. Email Teen Librarian Laura Bernier at [email protected] for more information; volunteer hours available. 

Want to help determine what goes on at the Halloween bash or other events from the Teen Room? Join the library’s Teen Advisory Board. The board meets once a month; email [email protected] for details.

Friends of the Ashland Public Library Donation Day & Mini Book Sale!

Saturday, September 7 @ 9:30am-1pm

Customers for all our sales will find thousands of titles on the permanent sales shelves including hard and soft cover fiction (all alphabetized by author for ease of shopping), a wide selection of history and politics titles, health and family living books, plus memoirs, biographies, and loads of additional titles, all arranged by genre. An entire section of the Book Sale Room is arranged for children to browse and select from a huge collection of board books, picture books, easy readers, and chapter books.

To keep the shelves stocked with fresh selections, the Friends accept donations in the library parking lot of gently used books, audio books and DVDs. Friends volunteers will be available to assist donors during this time. There is also a cart in the mezzanine lobby for donations at any time during library hours.

Proceeds from these monthly book sales and all fundraising efforts made by the Friends fund 100% of children, teen, and adult programs, our wonderful Museum Passes, and so much more!